METHOD AND DEVICE FOR NETWORK CAPACITY CONTROL
First Claim
1. A method for controlling a network capacity, the method comprising:
- receiving an instruction message for setting up an IP Connectivity Access network (IP-CAN) session for a User Equipment (UE), obtaining a UE identifier from the instruction message, and determining from the UE identifier a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) serving the UE corresponding to the UE identifier;
forwarding the IP-CAN session setup instruction message to a Policy and Charging Rule Function (PCRF) in the MVNO (MVNO-PCRF), the MVNO serving the UE;
receiving an IP-CAN session setup acknowledgement message carrying a Policy and Charging Control (PCC) rule of the UE, sent by the MVNO-PCRF; and
replying to a network element sending the instruction message, with the IP-CAN session setup acknowledgment message for the UE, upon determining according to the PCC rule of the UE that the MVNO serving the UE does not exceed a granted capacity of the MVNO.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to a method for network capacity control for use in controlling use by a MVNO of MNO network capacity. The method of the present invention comprises: an MNO-PCRF receives an IP-CAN session establishment instruction message and, on the basis of the user identifier therein, determines the mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) to which a UE belongs and forwards the IP-CAN session establishment instruction message to the MVNO-PCRF unit; an IP-CAN session establishment confirmation message is received from the MVNO-PCRF carrying the policy and charging control (PCC) rules of the UE, and the PCC rules of the UE are then used; when it is confirmed that the MVNO to which the UE belongs has not exceeded the authorized capacity of said MVNO, an IP-CAN session establishment confirmation.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for controlling a network capacity, the method comprising:
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receiving an instruction message for setting up an IP Connectivity Access network (IP-CAN) session for a User Equipment (UE), obtaining a UE identifier from the instruction message, and determining from the UE identifier a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) serving the UE corresponding to the UE identifier; forwarding the IP-CAN session setup instruction message to a Policy and Charging Rule Function (PCRF) in the MVNO (MVNO-PCRF), the MVNO serving the UE; receiving an IP-CAN session setup acknowledgement message carrying a Policy and Charging Control (PCC) rule of the UE, sent by the MVNO-PCRF; and replying to a network element sending the instruction message, with the IP-CAN session setup acknowledgment message for the UE, upon determining according to the PCC rule of the UE that the MVNO serving the UE does not exceed a granted capacity of the MVNO. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8)
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6. (canceled)
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9. A method for providing a Policy and Charging Control (PCC) rule, the method comprising:
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receiving an instruction message for setting up an IP Connectivity Access network (IP-CAN) session for a User Equipment (UE), sent by a Mobile Network Operator Policy and Charging Rule Function (MNO-PCRF); and determining a PCC rule of the UE from the instruction message, and sending to the MNO-PCRF an IP-CAN session setup acknowledgement message carrying the PCC rule of the UE. - View Dependent Claims (10, 12)
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11. (canceled)
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13. A device for controlling a network capacity, the device comprising:
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an MVNO determining unit configured to receive an instruction message for setting up an IP Connectivity Access network (IP-CAN) session for a User Equipment (UE), to obtain a UE identifier from the instruction message, and to determine from the UE identifier a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) serving the UE corresponding to the UE identifier; a message forwarding unit configured to forward the IP-CAN session setup instruction message to a Policy and Charging Rule Function (PCRF) in the MVNO (MVNO-PCRF), the MVNO serving the UE; a message receiving unit configured to receive an IP-CAN session setup acknowledgement message carrying a Policy and Charging Control (PCC) rule of the UE, sent by the MVNO-PCRF; and a determining unit configured to reply to a network element sending the instruction message, with the IP-CAN session setup acknowledgment message for the UE upon determining according to the PCC rule of the UE that the MVNO serving the UE does not exceed a granted capacity of the MVNO. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20)
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18. (canceled)
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21. A device for providing a Policy and Charging Control (PCC) rule, the device comprising:
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a message receiving unit configured to receive an instruction message for setting up an IP Connectivity Access network (IP-CAN) session for a User Equipment (UE), sent by from a Mobile Network Operator Policy and Charging Rule Function (MNO-PCRF); and a PCC determining unit configured to determine a PCC rule of the UE from the instruction message, and to send to the MNO-PCRF an IP-CAN session setup acknowledgement message carrying the PCC rule of the UE. - View Dependent Claims (22, 24)
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23. (canceled)
Specification